Part Two, Chapter XXI & Epilogue Summary

Elisha returns to his native land, and on the road to Caesarea encounters Meir. Meir can see the disillusionment in his old master's eyes. Meir explains that the Sanhedrin is meeting again, and the faith has withstood all the Romans could throw at it. Meir asks Elisha to come home with him, but Elisha says he is on a long journey. Meir walks with him until they reach the boundary where Jews are not allowed to cross on the Sabbath. Elisha tells Meir that faith and reason are not antagonists as Elisha has believed all his life, that they coexist and commingle. As the two men part, Meir watches Elisha walk away until he can no longer be seen.

Lightning has struck Elisha's grave, and Meir hurries to the site. He remembers how they were...